Page 31 - Signal Summer 2019

a large proportion of this is facilitated by adherence to selection procedures, the values inculcated early on during training stick with us whether we know it or not. We subconsciously search for role models throughout our training and career and the DF has a very high proportion of excellent leaders. I have seen the DF values displayed by subordinates, peers and superiors and when speaking to students they are generally widely accepted as representing our leaders. For me, loyalty is arguably the core value driving our leaders during these recent challenges - loyalty downwards, sideways and upwards. I believe that regardless of the difficulties, officers will generally put the shoulder to the wheel out of loyalty to all three.
In terms of CPD, how do you feel the organisation delivers in terms of continuing to nurture and develop the next generation of leaders?
Again referring to Huntington, I believe that the DF provides both officers and NCOs with the opportunity to develop expertise in their chosen field, responsibility for both subordinates and greater society and to encourage and engage in corporateness which is unique in our military society. I don’t know of any other organisation which provides opportunities to its junior and mid- level management to step out of the line management roles to focus entirely on their own education and leadership development for months at a time. For me, this has been a very valuable aspect of life in the DF and arguably should be encouraged more often and earlier in an officer’s career. There are discussions ongoing regarding CPD, in one instance the syllabus of the Junior Command and Staff Course will be revised, to become The Land Component Course. This nests within the overarching aims of the Joint Command and Staff Course (JCSC) run by the Command and Staff School.
| LEADERSHIP: INFANTRY WING |
Biography:
Captain Simon Keenan
I was commissioned in July 2004 as a member of the 81st Cadet Class and appointed as a platoon commander in 2 Infantry Battalion. This was a very fruitful appointment which provided me with an opportunity to work in a very busy unit, train a recruit platoon and take part in many varied ATCP/ACA operations. During this time I also underwent a BSc in Product Design through USAC. The re-org in 2012 provided me a brief chance to instruct in BTC, 2 Bde before deploying with 108 Inf Bn to UNIFIL in a staff appointment. On return from UNIFIL, I was posted briefly to DFHQ before being promoted to Capt in 2014. On promotion, I was posted to 27 Inf Bn as the Operations Officer. This was a very interesting and dynamic appointment working in a very professional unit. My time in Dundalk came to an end in 2016 when I was once again deployed to UNIFIL alongside the 53rd Inf Gp. On return, I returned to Cathal Brugha Barracks as Logs Officer in the now re-branded 7 Inf Bn. In 2017, I was selected to undergo the Junior Command and Staff course and on completion was fortunate enough to be invited to instruct in the Officer Training Wing. I am now course coordinator for the 32 Junior Command and Staff Course which is due to be completed in July.
| SUMMER ‘19 | | 29